Absorbent article with improved surface fastening system

ABSTRACT

An article having a surface fastening system and a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system includes at least one first fastening element and at least one second fastening element. The first fastening element further includes an attached portion, partially joined to the article, at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least one hinge line disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearing, the hinge line is positioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion. At least one second fastening element is affixed at a second position to the article and configured to be engageable with the liftable portion of the first fastening element. Articles such as disposable diapers, bibs, clothing, etc. are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.10/774,259, filed Feb. 6, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No.7,384,415, which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 09/918,265 filed Jul. 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,755,809, which is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser.No. 09/633,422 filed Aug. 7, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,545 and priorapplication Ser. No. 09/633,423 filed Aug. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,911,023 the substances of all are incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention also relates to articles such as diapers, trainingpants, bibs, sanitary napkins and the like with an improved surfacefastening system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles, absorbent articles and disposable absorbent articles such asdiapers, training pants, bibs, sanitary napkins and the like are wellknown in the art. Such absorbent articles are typically used to absorband contain bodily exudates such as feces, urine and/or menses, foods,or other substances. Until fairly recently, many of the absorbentarticles identified above were made from reusable materials such aswoven cloth materials including cotton and other absorbent fabrics. Manyconsumers have found that using disposable absorbent articles is moreconvenient than using reusable articles for various reasons.Accordingly, many different types of disposable absorbent articles,including disposable diapers such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.5,151,092 entitled “Absorbent Article with Dynamic Elastic Waist Featurehaving Predisposed Flexural Hinge” issued to Buell et al. on Sep. 22,1992 have achieved wide acceptance and commercial success.

Over the years, there have been many advancements related to disposableabsorbent articles, including improvements in fastening systems,absorbency, and aesthetics. However, there is still a need forimprovement relating to fit, comfort, aesthetics, and overallperformance of such articles. For example, disposable diapers often donot look or feel like garments. Further, disposable diapers are oftendifficult for the user, whether it be the caregiver or child, toproperly fasten about the wearer. This can lead to poor fit, which canresult in leaks and/or reduced comfort for the wearer. Further, indiapers for active wearers and in refastenable pull-on diapers, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,545 issued to Kline et al.,multi-directional resistance to disengagement is important to ensurethat the fasteners remain engaged while puling up and/or wearing thediaper.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an absorbent article withan improved fastening system. It would also be desirable to provide anabsorbent article with lower cost fastening system. It would also bedesirable to provide an absorbent article with improved fit, aesthetics,and overall performance. Further, it would be desirable to provide anabsorbent article with an improved fastening system that provides easierand more reliable fastening performance including improved resistance todisengagement during article use, thus requiring less fastening materialthan the prior art, for the same level of fastening security.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an article to be fastened together, andin alternate embodiments, to be worn about a wearer. The inventionincludes a surface fastening system having a primary direction of loadbearing. The surface fastening system has at least one first fasteningelement, and at least one second fastening element. The first fasteningelement includes an attached portion joined to the article, at least oneliftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least onehinge line positioned between the attached portion and the liftableportion. The hinge line is disposed at an angle less than 90 degreesrelative to the primary direction of load bearing. The second fasteningelement is affixed at a second position to the article and is configuredsuch that at least a portion of the second fastening element isreleasably engageable with at least a portion of the liftable portion ofthe first fastening element.

In alternate embodiments, the second fastening element may also bepartially joined to the article and include a liftable portion. Thesurface fastening system may have a peel load capacity during use whichis greater than or equal to about 1000 grams. A functional model of peelresistance is used to describe and claim preferred embodiments of theinvention. The first fastening element liftable portion improves theoverall load carrying capacity of the surface fastening system duringarticle use. The surface fastening system preferably delivers improvedmultidirectional resistance to surface fastening system disengagementduring use. Many variations of the invention are possible, of whichseveral are specifically disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as formingthe present invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention as adiaper in a flat configuration with portions of the structure cut-awayto show the construction the article.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventionfastened about a wearer.

FIG. 3 is an expanded view of the second fastening element portion ofthe surface fastening system shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A through 4D are plan views of alternative embodiments of asurface fastening system retaining element.

FIGS. 5A-D depict possible retaining element configurations.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a firstfastening element.

FIG. 6C depicts a plan view of two hinge lines defined by a collectionof attached portions.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first fastening element with two hinge linesseparated at distances X1 and X2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the article as adiaper.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the article as adiaper.

FIG. 10 is a three dimensional view of a perpendicular peel load testconfiguration.

FIG. 11A is a plan view of one embodiment of the first fastening elementon a diaper first waist region.

FIGS. 11B-D are a cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly. Note: Forclarity the first fastening element is lifted away from the garmentfacing surface to show the hinge line.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention in aflat configuration with possible elastomeric and/or fastener locationsidentified.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of one embodiment of the first fastening elementwith a flap.

FIGS. 14A-14D are plan views of various first fastening element hingeline configurations.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the first fasteningzone with a masking element.

FIG. 15B is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a firstfastening element with a masking element.

FIGS. 16A 16D depict a plan view of potential stiffening elementlocations.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin alternative embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a body wrap alternative embodiment.

The drawings are for the purpose of illustration and are not necessarilydrawn to scale. Like reference numbers have been used to indicate likecomponents in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “article” refers to any article including abib, diaper, sanitary napkin, medical bandage, utility belt, sling,absorbent article, or other device which carries load through a surfacefastening system when the fastening elements are engaged. The bib forexample could be a child's bib fastened in the back. The sling may be asling for a broken arm that holds the arm in a place.

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to devices thatabsorb and contain body exudates and, more specifically, refers todevices that are placed against or in proximity to the body of a wearerto absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Theterm “disposable” is used herein to describe absorbent articles whichgenerally are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored orreused as absorbent articles (i.e., they are intended to be discardedafter a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted orotherwise discarded in an environmentally compatible manner). A“unitary” absorbent article refers to absorbent articles which areformed of separate parts united together to form a coordinated entity sothat they do not require separate manipulative parts like a separateholder and/or liner. As used herein, the term “diaper” refers to anabsorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent personsabout the lower torso. The present invention is also applicable to otherabsorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, pull-ups, prefasteneddiapers, refastenable diapers, incontinence undergarments, absorbentinserts, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, wipes,mops, bandages and the like.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the article as a diaper 20 ina flat configuration with portions of the structure being cut-away toshow the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of the diaper 20,which faces the wearer, is oriented towards the viewer. As shown in FIG.1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid pervious topsheet 24; aliquid impervious backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28 which is preferablypositioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and thebacksheet 26; opposite side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs 32; a waistfeature 34; and a surface fastening system 40. The diaper 20 is shown inFIG. 1 to have a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38 opposedto the first waist region 36 and a crotch region 37 located between thefirst waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. The periphery ofthe diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 in whichlongitudinal edges 50 run generally parallel to the longitudinalcenterline 100 of the diaper 20 and end edges 52 run between thelongitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the lateral centerline 110of the diaper 20.

The chassis 22 of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of the diaper20. The chassis 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core 28and preferably an outer covering including the topsheet 24 and/or thebacksheet 26. If the absorbent article comprises a separate holder and aliner, the chassis 22 generally comprises the holder and the liner. (Forexample, the holder may comprise one or more layers of material to formthe outer cover of the article and the liner may comprise an absorbentassembly including a topsheet 24, a backsheet 26, and an absorbent core28. In such cases, the holder and/or the liner may include a holdingelement, which is used to hold the liner in place throughout the time ofuse.) For unitary absorbent articles, the chassis 22 comprises the mainstructure of the diaper 20 with other features added to form thecomposite diaper structure. While the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, andthe absorbent core 26 may be assembled in a variety of well-knownconfigurations, preferred diaper configurations are described generallyin U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled “Contractible Side Portions forDisposable Diaper” issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan. 14, 1975; U.S.Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No.5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,145entitled “Absorbent Article With Multiple Zone Structural Elastic-LikeFilm Web Extensible Waist Feature” issued to Roe et al. on Sep. 10,1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,234 entitled “Disposable Pull-On Pant” issuedto Buell et al. on Oct. 29, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,411 entitled “ZeroScrap Method For Manufacturing Side Panels For Absorbent Articles”issued to Nease et al. on Dec. 3, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,306entitled “Absorbent Article With Multi-Directional Extensible SidePanels” issued to Robles et al. on Dec. 21, 1999; each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 positionedadjacent garment facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28 thatprevents exudates absorbed and contained therein from soiling articleswhich may contact the diaper 20, such as bedsheets and undergarments. Inpreferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is impervious to liquids (e.g.,urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as a thermoplastic filmhaving a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0mils). Suitable backsheet films include those manufactured by TredegarIndustries Inc. of Terre Haute, Ind. and sold under the trade namesX15306, X10962 and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials mayinclude breathable materials, which permit vapors to escape from thediaper 20 while still preventing exudates from passing through thebacksheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials suchas woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coatednonwoven webs, microporous films such as manufactured by Mitsui ToatsuCo., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by Exxon Chemical Co.,of Bay City, Tex., under the designation EXXAIRE, and monolithic filmssuch as manufactured by Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under thename HYTREL blend P18-3097. Some breathable composite materials aredescribed in greater detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746 publishedon Jun. 22, 1995 in the name of E. I. DuPont; U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,648issued on Aug. 17, 1999 to LaVon et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,823 issuedon Feb. 2, 1999 in the name of Curro; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096 issuedto Dobrin et al. on Nov. 5, 1996. Each of these references is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

The backsheet 26 or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensiblein one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 maycomprise a structural elastic-like film (“SELF”) web. A structuralelastic-like film web is an extensible material that exhibits anelastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use ofadded elastic materials and is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No.5,518,801 entitled “Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior”issued to Chappell, et al. on May 21, 1996, and which is incorporatedherein by reference. In alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 maycomprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these orother suitable materials with nonwovens or synthetic films.

The backsheet 26 may be joined to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28or any other element of the diaper 20 by any attachment means known inthe art. (As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurationswhereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixingthe element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby anelement is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the elementto intermediate member(s) that in turn are affixed to the otherelement.) For example, the attachment means may include a uniformcontinuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrayof separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. One preferredattachment means comprises an open pattern network of filaments ofadhesive as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 entitled “DisposableWaste-Containment Garment”, which issued to Minetola et al. on Mar. 4,1986. Other suitable attachment means include U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996issued to Ziecker, et al. on Nov. 22, 1978; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666issued to Werenicz on Jun. 27, 1989. Each of these patents isincorporated herein by reference. Satisfactory adhesives include thosemanufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. and marketed asHL-1620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the attachment means maycomprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinationsof these attachment means as are known in the art.

The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent body surface 47 of theabsorbent core 28 and may be joined thereto and/or to the backsheet 26by any attachment means known in the art. Suitable attachment means aredescribed above with respect to means for joining the backsheet 26 toother elements of the diaper 20. In one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are joineddirectly to each other in some locations and are indirectly joinedtogether in other locations by directly joining them to one or moreother elements of the diaper 20.

The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of thetopsheet 24 is liquid pervious, permitting liquid to readily penetratethrough its thickness. A suitable topsheet 24 may be manufactured from awide range of materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams,apertured plastic films, or woven or nonwoven materials of naturalfibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyesteror polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and syntheticfibers. If the topsheet 24 includes fibers, the fibers may be spunbond,carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed asis known in the art. One suitable topsheet 24 comprising a web ofstaple-length polypropylene fibers is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., aDivision of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Mass. under thedesignation P-8.

The topsheet 24 may be fully or partially elasticized or may beforeshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet 24 andthe core 28. Exemplary structures including elasticized or foreshortenedtopsheets are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,536 issuedto DesMarais et al. on Jan. 9, 1990 entitled “Absorbent Article HavingElastic Strands”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,147 issued to Freeland on Feb. 5,1991 entitled “Absorbent Article With Elastic Liner For Waste MaterialIsolation”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,416 issued to Allen et al. on Aug. 6,1991 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having ElasticallyExtensible Topsheet”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,775 issued to Freeland etal. on Dec. 14, 1993 entitled “Trisection Topsheets For DisposableAbsorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having SuchTrisection Topsheets”; each of which is incorporated by referenceherein. Preferably, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is made of ahydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolatethe wearer's skin from liquids contained in the absorbent core 28.

The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material that isgenerally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer'sskin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine andother certain body exudates. The absorbent core 28 may comprise a widevariety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposablediapers and other absorbent articles such as comminuted wood pulp, whichis generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitableabsorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; melt blownpolymers, including co-form; chemically stiffened, modified orcross-linked cellulosic fibers; tissue, including tissue wraps andtissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbentpolymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any other known absorbentmaterial or combinations of materials. Exemplary absorbent structuresfor use as the absorbent assemblies are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,342,338 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article For Low-Viscosity FecalMaterial” issued to Roe on Aug. 30, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,345entitled “Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Body Fluids and AbsorbentArticles Containing Such Materials” issued to DesMarais et al. on Nov.9, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,207 entitled “Thin-Until-Wet Absorbent FoamMaterials For Aqueous Body Fluids And Process For Making Same” issued toDyer et al. on Feb. 7, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,316 entitled “SlittedAbsorbent Members For Aqueous Body Fluids Formed Of Expandable AbsorbentMaterials” issued to LaVon et al. on Mar. 14, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No.5,625,222 entitled “Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Fluids MadeFrom high Internal Phase Emulsions Having Very High Water-To-Oil Ratios”issued to DesMarais et al. on Jul. 22, 1997. Each of these patents isincorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 maybe elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable and contouringfit by initially conformably fitting the diaper 20 to the wearer andsustaining this fit throughout the time of wear well past when thediaper 20 has been loaded with exudates since the elasticized sidepanels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract. Theside panels 30 may also provide more effective application of the diaper20 because even if the diaperer pulls one elasticized side panel 30farther than the other during application, the diaper 20 will“self-adjust” during wear. The diaper 20 may also comprise at least onewaist feature 34 that helps to provide improved fit and containment. Thewaist feature 34 may be elastic and/or extensible, or neither elastic orextensible.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include pockets forreceiving and containing waste, spacers which provide voids for waste,barriers for limiting the movement of waste in the article, compartmentsor voids which accept and contain waste materials deposited in thediaper 20, and the like, or any combinations thereof. Examples ofpockets and spacers for use in absorbent products are described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,514,121 issued to Roe et al. on May 7, 1996, entitled “DiaperHaving Expulsive Spacer,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,236 issued to Dreieret al. on Dec. 15, 1992 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article HavingCore Spacers.”

The diaper 20 may also include such other features as are known in theart including leg cuffs, front and rear ear panels, waist cap features,elastics and the like to provide better fit, containment and aestheticcharacteristics. Such additional features are well known in the art andare described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,003; and 5,151,092, which areincorporated by reference herein. In addition, the present invention maybe suitable for other diaper embodiments including those disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,010,491 titled “Viscous Fluid Bodily Waste ManagementArticle” issued Jan. 4, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,870 titled “Fit AndSustained Fit Of A Diaper Via Chassis And Core Modifications” issuedFeb. 23, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,430 titled “Absorbent Article WithMacro-Particulate Storage Structure” issued Nov. 2, 1999 and U.S. Pat.No. 6,004,306 titled “Absorbent Article With Multi-DirectionalExtensible Side Panels” issued Dec. 21, 1999, the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

The article may also include a surface fastening system 40. On a diaper20, the surface fastening system 40 preferably maintains the first waistregion 36 and the second waist region 38 in a configuration so as toprovide lateral tensions about the circumference of the diaper 20 tohold the diaper 20 on the wearer. This lateral tension may be in aprimary direction of load bearing when the fastening system 40 engagesthe first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. In a diaper20, the primary direction of load bearing is generally in the directionof the fastening load carried by the surface fastening system 40 whenthe fastening system 40 is in use. This is typically a shear loadbetween the first fastening element 49 located in the first waist region36 and the second fastening element 48 located in the second waistregion 38 when the surface fastening system is engaged. The peel loaddirection on a diaper 20 is generally a direction between the primarydirection of load bearing and a direction normal to the primarydirection of load bearing.

The present invention allows the fastening elements to reorientthemselves as various loads are applied during use. In a most basicdescription, the surface fastening system 40 allows a first fasteningelement 49 and a second fastening element 48 to at least partiallyreorient under load such that rather than being in a peel relationshipwith a load (peel mode), they at least partially lift into at least apartial shear relationship with the load. Thus, the surface fasteningsystem 40 is capable of staying fastened under a greater peel load thanotherwise possible. In at least one embodiment when the diaper 20 isfastened about the wearer, the second fastening elements 48 on the sidepanels 30 of the second waist region 38 engage the first fasteningelement(s) 49 disposed in the first waist region 36 to fasten the secondwaist region 38 to the first waist region 36. When the first fasteningelement 49 and second fastening element 48 shown in FIG. 1 are attached,a pant-like article is formed having a waist hoop 55 and a pair of legopenings 58 as shown in FIG. 2.

For a diaper 20, the surface fastening system 40 preferably comprisestwo or more second fastening elements 48 as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1,second fastening element 48 is disposed on one of the two side panels 30in the second waist region 38. The second fastening element 48 may bedisposed in the second waist region 38 on the inner surface 67, on thebacksheet 26, or otherwise attached to the side panel 30 in the secondwaist region 38 in any fashion known in the art. The second fasteningelement 48 may either be discrete separate elements affixed to thediaper 20 or a unitary piece of material that is neither divided nordiscontinuous with an element of the diaper 20.

The present invention, in an embodiment such as a diaper 20, may providean improved balance between skin marking and leg freedom when thearticle is properly fitted to the wearer. The present invention mayfurther require less retaining element 14 (hook & loop material) for agiven level of load caring during use, than a comparable prior artfastening system. When the diaper 20 is applied to a wearer, the firstfastening element 49 and the second fastening element 48 of thefastening system 40 may be connected over the front of the wearer's legwith a liftable portion 72 such that the leg may move freely. Thefastening system 40 may fasten the article 20 about the wearer with lessskin marking or leg restraint than the prior art. While the presentinvention is particularly useful for the attachment of an absorbentarticle about a wearer, it also would have application for any articleattachment where the applied load direction with respect to the fastenermay be manipulated by the hinged approach of the present invention toimprove the fastener's ability to remain fastened during use.

In one embodiment the surface fastening system 40 comprises at least onefirst fastening element 49 and at least one second fastening element 48,the components and location of which are generally interchangeable withone another but may be unique with respect to their respectiveunderlying attachment to the article. As shown in FIG. 1 the firstfastening element 49 may be located on the first waist region 36 and thesecond fastening element 48 may be located on the second waist region38. The first fastening element 49 and the second fastening element 48may have a retaining element 14 or other means for releasably engagingthe first fastening element 49 and the second fastening element 48.Engaging includes holding the first fastening element 49 and secondfastening element 48 together when the two are fastened. Adhesives, andhook and loop are two common types of retaining elements. Generally, anyknown retaining element 14 suitable for a surface fastening system 40 isacceptable. More details concerning the retaining element are discussedbelow. Interlocking fasteners such as buttons, zippers, buckles and thelike, however, are not surface fastening systems 40, or retainingelements 14 suitable for a surface fastening system 40.

In a diaper configuration as shown in FIG. 8, the first fasteningelement 49 may comprise at least one attached portion 73 which isattached to the article 20, and at least one liftable portion 72. Theliftable portion 72 is liftable from the article 20 and extends from theattached portion with a hinge line 11, which extends between theliftable portion 72 and attached portion 73. The second fasteningelement 48 is generally engageable with the first fastening element 49.The first fastening element 49 and second fastening element 48engagement may include all, or any portion of either fastening element.The first fastening element 49 may be disposed on the garment facingsurface 361 in the first waist region 36. The garment facing surface 361is generally the article surface which faces the clothing worn by thewearer such as a backsheet 26 or something attached to a backsheet 26such as a first fastening element 49 or second fastening element 48.Preferably, first fastening element 49 comprises at least one hinge line11 and at least one liftable portion 72. More preferably, the firstfastening element 49 may comprise two hinge lines 11 which are notperpendicular to the primary direction of load bearing, and two liftableportions 72.

First fastening element 49 and second fastening element 48 may comprisea retaining element 14. As generally discussed above, the retainingelement 14 may be used to releasably engage the first fastening element49 and second fastening element 48. The retaining element 14 can includehook and loop, adhesive, cohesive, hermaphroditic, friction, static, andmagnetic fasteners, macro-fasteners, and the like. Structural designssuch as the fasteners described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/633,422 filed Aug. 7, 2000, by The Procter & Gamble Co. are alsocontemplated.

The retaining element 14 may be located on the first fastening element49 and/or the second fastening element 48. The retaining element may belocated on the attached portion 73 and/or the liftable portion 72 ofeither the first or the second fastening element. Preferably, for thefirst and second fastening elements, at least one retaining element 14is located at least partially on the liftable portion 72. In oneembodiment at least about 5% of the first or second fastening elementretaining element 14 is located on the corresponding liftable portion 72of either the first or second fastening element. Alternatively, at leastabout 10% of the first or second fastening element retaining element 14is located on the corresponding liftable portion 72 of either the firstor second fastening element. Alternatively, at least about 45% of thefirst or second fastening element retaining element 14 is located on thecorresponding liftable portion 72 of either the first or secondfastening element.

The retaining elements 14 on the first fastening element 49 and/or thesecond fastening element 48 may be disposed at an angle relative to thelongitudinal centerline 100 and placed on the liftable portion 72 and/orthe attached portion 73. FIG. 9 depicts a diaper embodiment wherein thesecond fastening element 48 has a retaining element 14 across the entiresecond fastening element 48. The first fastening element 49 has aretaining element 14 at each end. The retaining element 14 is disposedpartially upon the first fastening element 49 liftable portion 72 andpartially on the first fastening element 49 attached portion 73.

The retaining element 14 may be one, or more than one piece of material.The retaining element may also be integral to either fastening element.The size, shape, and location of the retaining element 14 may vary. Theretaining element 14 may be square, rectangular, trapezoid, circular orany other shape or shapes. Four sample retaining element 14configurations are shown in FIGS. 5A-5D. FIG. 8 shows the retainingelement 14 on the first fastening element 49 overlapping all of theattached portion 73 and liftable portion 72. The second fasteningelement 48 may also comprise an attached portion 73 that is attached tothe article 20, and a liftable portion 72 that is liftable from thearticle 20 and extends from the attached portion 73 along the hinge line11. FIG. 8 shows the retaining element 14 on the second fasteningelement 48 overlapping part of the second fastening element attachedportion 73 and part of the second fastening element liftable portion 72.

The first fastening element 49 is attached to the article 20 by attachedportion 73. For example, in one embodiment the attached portion 73 wouldbe uniformly attached to the backsheet 26. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 6C, the attached portion 73 may be attached to the article at oneor more discrete locations that together create an area which functionsas an attached portion 73 even though some of the first fasteningelement 49 between the attached portion is not directly attached to thearticle 20. For example, in FIG. 6C there are multiple attached portions73, a hinge line 11, a second hinge line 111, a liftable portion 72, anda second liftable portion 172. The liftable portions 72 and 172 areshown in FIG. 6C. The hinge line 11 and second hinge line 111 in FIG. 6Care shown defined by the laterally outboard longitudinal edge of theattached circular portions 73. Attachment of the attached portion 73 tothe article 20 may be by any means known in the art including thermalbonding, adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, stitching, or combinationsthereof.

The first fastening element 49 (the landing zone) and/or secondfastening element 48 may include a variety of construction combinations,some embodiments of which are shown in FIGS. 11B-11D. The firstfastening element 49 and/or second fastening element 48 are generallyattached to the article with at least one attached portion 73. The firstfastening element 49 and/or second fastening element 48 may include oneor more retaining elements 14 attached to the first fastening element 49by any means known in the art. For clarity in FIGS. 11B-11D, theliftable portion 72 of first fastening element 49 is shown lifted awayfrom the garment facing surface 361 to show the hinge line 11.

Preferably, the first fastening element 49 attached portion 73 isattached to the article 20 on the garment facing surface 361 in thefirst waist region 36 and the liftable portion 72 lifts from the garmentfacing surface 361. FIG. 11B shows a cross sectional view of the firstfastening element 49 shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11B shows a retainingelement 14 and a backing 92 disposed between the retaining element 14and the garment facing surface 361. The backing 92 is connected to theretaining element 14 and the garment facing surface 361 at the attachedportion 73. FIG. 11C shows a cross sectional view of the first fasteningelement 49 shown in FIG. 11A wherein the liftable portion 72 has abacking 92 that extends beyond the retaining element 14. This extensionof backing 92 may be used as a grasping point for attaching the firstand second fastening elements. FIG. 11D shows a cross sectional view ofthe first fastening element 49 shown in FIG. 11A wherein the liftableportion 72 is the retaining element 14 without a backing 92.

Embodiments have also been contemplated in which at least a portion ofthe second fastening element 48, the first fastening element 49, and/orcomponents thereof such as backing 92 or retaining elements 14 includean extensible or elastomeric carrier web. At least a portion of thecarrier web may be unjoined from the underlying structure of thearticle. Any extensible and/or elastomeric/elastic materials, includingthose previously referenced herein, may be used as the carrier web. Oneexample of a carrier web is a vacuum formed elastomeric material such asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/816,106 filed on Mar.14, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference. An elastomeric orextensible first or second fastening element may contribute to thetransfer of peel load to shear load in the fastening system 40.

The hinge line 11 generally separates (lies between) the attachedportion 73 and the liftable portion 72. The hinge line 11 may extend inany direction with respect to the longitudinal centerline 100 and thelateral centerline 110 as shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 14A-14C. Preferably,the hinge line is non-orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline 100 suchthat it intersects both the longitudinal centerline 100 and the lateralcenterline 110. In addition, the hinge line 11 may diverge from thelongitudinal centerline 100 as it moves away from the lateral centerline110 of the absorbent article. More preferably, the hinge line 11 may beintersected by the primary direction of load bearing at an angle lessthan 90 degrees. One of ordinary skill in the art should understand thatif one intersecting angle is less than 90 degrees, the adjacent angle isgreater than 90 degrees. Stated more directly, the hinge line 11 ispreferably not perpendicular to the primary direction of load bearing.

The hinge line 11 may run generally in a straight line or it may run inany contour. FIGS. 6A-6B, 8, and 14A-14C, show the hinge line 11 withvarious contours. Part of the hinge line 11 may be parallel to eitherthe longitudinal centerline 100 or the primary direction of load bearingat transition points in some embodiments. For example, where a hingeline 11 is curved, a tangent to the curve may be parallel to thelongitudinal centerline 100. In an embodiment such as a diaper 20, acontoured hinge line 11 may preferably follow a path from a point closerto the intersection of the longitudinal centerline 100 and the lateralcenterline 110, to a point further away from this intersection in orderto provide ease of leg movement under the fastening system 40.

Hinge lines 11 that intersect the longitudinal centerline 100 and thelateral centerline 110 are advantageous. The low motion zone 340 isgenerally within the low motion zone perimeter 341 defined by the legcreases and belly crease, forming a generally triangularly shaped areain the wearer's pubic area as shown in FIG. 2. Fitting the hinge line 11in the low motion zone 340 and/or along the perimeter 341 of the lowmotion zone 340 between the leg opening 58 and the waist hoop 55optimizes fit and reduces skin marking caused by the diaper 20.

The second fastening element 48 may be fastened to the correspondingfirst fastening element 49 (landing zone) at an angle between thelongitudinal centerline 100 and the lateral centerline 110 and generallyalong the perimeter 341 of the low motion zone 340 such that leg markingis further reduced and leg freedom of movement is further increased.When the hinge line(s) 11 are angled, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and14A-14D, more material is available for fastener attachment to resistloads in the primary direction of load bearing while still allowingfreer movement by the wearer in other directions, e.g. the movement ofthe wearers legs while wearing a diaper. This may reduce the amount orcost of the fastening system 40 retaining element 14 required tomaintain the article in a fastened configuration during use. Inaddition, placing the liftable portion 72 across the wearer at locationssuch as the upper thigh may reduce skin marking in that area despite themotions of the wearer. Further, keeping the first fastening element 49partially attached laterally outboard (resulting from an angled hingeline 11) helps to maintain proper fit during use. The fastening system40 can for example, straddle the perimeter 341 of the low motion zone340 between the leg openings 58 and the waist hoop 55 and remainfastened while still allowing freer leg motion and a reduced risk ofskin marking during use. In another embodiment, an outward angle of thehinge line 11 provides a fastening point closer to the distal edge 68 ofthe first waist region 36 as shown in FIG. 9. The angled hinge line 11may allow less restrained leg movement while still minimizing diaperroping. Roping results when the first waist region 36 and second waistregion 38 roll and separate after surface fastening system 40attachment, creating a gap between the two regions. In a diaper 20, theoutward and upward angle of the hinge line 11 helps keep the chassis 22in place for a proper fit during use.

A diaper 20 embodiment may have one or more hinge lines 11 that extendgenerally along the perimeter 341 of the low motion zone 340 between theleg openings 58 and the waist hoop 55. As shown in FIG. 10, shear loadis load in the x and y plane of the fastened first and second fasteningelements and peel load is in the yz through xz planes. The presentinvention allows the fastener to change it's orientation to the load andcarry what would otherwise be a peel load as a shear load. The fasteningsystem 40 reorients itself during peel loading by lifting the liftableportion 72 to transfer some of the applied load from a peel load to ashear load. Thus, the peel load capacity is increased by converting thepeel load to a shear load with respect to the fastener by lifting theliftable portion 72. In a diaper 20, the designed surface fasteningsystem 40 reorients the fastening interface when under load, for exampleloads created by movement of the wearers legs, allowing greaterresistance to unintentional fastener disengagement.

The surface fastening system 40 may become disengaged in a peel modeand/or a shear mode. The peel mode exists when the first fasteningelement 49 is held stationary or pulled in a generally perpendicular orangled direction away from the second fastening element 48. The secondfastening element 48 may be pulled off the first fastening element 49sequentially by oppositely directed forces acting in a directiongenerally perpendicular or at an angle to the surfaces being separatedas shown in FIG. 10. For example, in a hook and loop surface fasteningsystem, each row or line of hooks may be disengaged a little at a timeuntil all the hooks are disengaged from their respective loops. Thisresults in the overall surface fastener being progressively disengagedfrom a first point to a second point such as from a first edge to asecond edge. The peel performance of hook and loop systems is verysensitive to the cost/performance ratio. Generally, to obtain higherpeel load resistance, a higher basis weight loop is used whichultimately translates to more loops, thicker fabric, stronger adhesives,and greater overall cost.

A shear mode of disengagement, in comparison, exists when the twocomponents are being pulled apart by oppositely directed forces lying inthe same plane as the surfaces being joined. The shear mode ofdisengagement is a sliding, linear action, in contrast to the peel modedisengagement that is a curvilinear type of motion or action. Generally,a surface fastening system 40 requires less peel force than shear forceto disengage the surface fastening system 40. Thus, a surface fasteningsystem 40 is more likely to fail in a peel mode than in a shear mode. Atransfer of peel load to shear load may allow a lower basis weight loopor adhesive, which ultimately may translate to a lesser overall cost.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a surfacefastening system 40 provides for multi-directional resistance to peelmode disengagement. In a refastenable pull-on diaper, for example, thesurface fastening system 40 may be subjected to forces in manydirections as the diaper is pulled on over the wearer's feet, ankles,knees, buttocks, etc. The article is also subject to forces in manydirections after application as the wearer moves their waist hips,buttocks and legs. It is preferable that the surface fastening system 40not disengage when it is subjected to these forces. However, at the sametime the surface fastening system 40 is preferably not difficult todisengage when the diaper is being intentionally removed from thewearer. Thus, it is preferable that the surface fastening system 40 havedifferent levels of resistance to disengagement in different directions.

The surface fastening system 40 may generally comprises a peel loadcapacity when subject to a peel load and a shear load capacity whensubject to a shear load, wherein the peel load capacity is increased byconverting the peel load to the shear load by lifting the liftableportion 72. In one embodiment the surface fastening system 40 may have apeel load capacity that is greater than or equal to about 1000 grams,greater than about 1300 grams, greater than about 1600 grams, or greaterthan about 2000 grams.

FIG. 2 depicts a diaper 20 affixed on a wearer. The surface fasteningsystem 40 preferably maintains the first waist region 36 and the secondwaist region 38 in a configuration so as to provide lateral tensionsabout the waist hoop 55 of the diaper 20 to hold the diaper 20 on thewearer. In a preferred embodiment, the surface fastening system 40 willfasten to the front of the wearer. Fastening to the front of the wearermay be accomplished by having the first fastening element 49 positionedon the article such that it is to the front of the wearer. FIG. 2 showstwo axes, an x-axis generally oriented about the waist of the wearer anda y-axis generally oriented vertically on the wearer in a standingposition. A z-axis is generally perpendicular to the x-axis and they-axis and extends out of the plane of FIG. 2. In one embodiment, thex-axis defines the primary direction of load bearing. For a diaper, thex-axis primary direction of load bearing is lateral tension about thecircumference (waist hoop 55) holding the diaper around the waist of thewearer.

In FIG. 3, the article may have a surface fastening system 40 such as ahook and loop, hermaphroditic, adhesive, cohesive and/or magneticfastener. In one embodiment, the fastening system 40 is disengaged bythe distal edge X_(a). The distal edge X_(a) is peeled away in thexz-plane such that the surface fastening system 40 is progressivelydisengaged by peeling from the distal edge X_(a) to the proximal edgeX_(b) along the x-axis. Thus, the surface fastening system 40 preferablyis not as difficult to peel in the xz-plane from the distal edge X_(a)to the proximal edge X_(b) (so that the diaper may be easily removedfrom the wearer), as it is to disengage under a peel load in theyz-plane (so that the diaper may remain affixed during normal use).Alternatively, at least a portion of the distal edge X_(a) is preferablyeasier to remove in order to start the peeling action. Thus, it ispreferable that at least a portion of the distal edge X_(a) of thesurface fastening system 40 is easy to disengage in a peel mode by aforce located substantially in the xz-plane for at least a portion ofthe path from the distal edge X_(a) to the proximal edge X_(b). However,the surface fastening system 40 may become progressively more difficultto disengage as the peel mode disengagement progresses toward theproximal edge X_(b).

The surface fastening system 40 includes longitudinally inboard edgeY_(a) and longitudinally outboard edge Y_(b) as shown in FIG. 3.Further, FIG. 2 depicts axes y′ and y″ that are offset from the y-axisby an angle a on either side of the y-axis. Preferably, the surfacefastening system 40 is able to remain fastened when subjected to peelforces in all the planes between the y′z-plane and the y″z-plane,including the yz-plane when the peel forces act on the longitudinallyinboard edge Y_(a) and/or the longitudinally outboard edge Y_(b). Allplanes extend in the positive and negative direction from the coordinateaxis.

The surface fastening system 40 should usually remain fastened duringnormal use. Preferably, the surface fastening system 40 has a peel loadcapacity when subjected to peel forces during use in a direction otherthan in the xz-plane through y′z-plane that is greater than about 1000grams, more preferably greater than about 1300 grams, even morepreferably greater than about 1600 grams, and yet even more preferablygreater than about 2000 grams. Generally, a surface fastening system 40peel load capacity of between about 2000 grams and 6000 grams may beused. Preferably, the surface fastening system 40 peel force directionincludes a direction in the y′z-plane through the y″z-plane. The angle αis preferably about 20 degrees, more preferably about 30 degrees, evenmore preferably about 40 degrees, yet even more preferably about 50degrees and most preferably about 60 degrees.

Intentional fastening system disengagement during article removal, withor without lifting the liftable portion, occurs in the xz plane throughy′z-plane. Preferably, at least a portion of the distal edge X_(a) shownin FIG. 3, may become disengaged in a peel mode by a force oriented inthe xz-plane through y′z-plane that is less than the force that willcause the surface fastening system 40 to become disengaged in a peelmode by a force in a direction other than in the xz-plane (e.g. the peelload required to intentionally release the fastening system in one peeldirection is less that the peel load required to disengage the fasteningsystem during use in a different peel direction). More preferably, atleast a portion of the distal edge X_(a) may become disengaged in a peelmode (e.g. intentional fastening system disengagement during articleremoval without lifting the liftable portion) by a peel force directedin the xz-plane which is less than or equal to about 1000 grams. Evenmore preferably at least a portion of the distal edge X_(a) of thesurface fastening system may become disengaged in a peel mode by a peelforce directed in the xz-plane which is less than or equal to about 750grams. Yet even more preferably at least a portion of the distal edgeX_(a) of the surface fastening system 40 may become disengaged in a peelmode by a peel force directed in the xz-plane less than or equal toabout 500 grams.

The surface fastening system 40 of the present invention may be designedto achieve a certain resistance to peel mode disengagement. For example,changes in design, structure, attachment and/or material may affect theresistance of the surface fastening system 40 to peel modedisengagement. A change in design may include the dimension of thefastener at the edge that is resisting peel mode disengagement or theoverall shape of the engaging area. A longer y-dimension 46, as shown inFIG. 3, for the fastening system 40 results in a greater resistance topeel mode disengagement along the longer y-dimension edge. For example,a surface fastening system 40 having a resistance to peel modedisengagement of about 800 grams along a 0.5 inch edge will generallyhave a resistance to peel mode disengagement of up to about 1600 gramsat the edge if the length of the edge is increased to about one inch.Also, the overall shape of the engaging area of the surface fasteningsystem 40 may be optimized to minimize the cost and/or difficulty indisengaging the surface fastening system 40 in one direction whilemaximizing the resistance to peel mode disengagement in anotherdirection. On some surface fastening systems 40, the resistance to peelmode disengagement in various directions may also be selectivelyenhanced or reduced by enhancing or damaging portions of the fasteningsystem 40 as disclosed later herein. Further, the structure may bemodified in order to increase or decrease the resistance of thefastening system 40 to peel mode disengagement. One such embodiment of amodification would be by including a liftable portion 72 along a hingeline 11 such that it protects the y-dimension edge 46 of the fasteningsystem 40 from disengaging in a peel mode.

The resistance to peel mode disengagement may also be affected by theselection of the fastening materials used in the surface fasteningsystem 40. For example, some fastening materials have an inherentlyhigher resistance to peel mode disengagement than other materials,commonly referred to as an aggressive fastener. Although use of anaggressive fastening material may increase the resistance to peel modedisengagement in the desired direction, the use of this material, in theabsence of other design criteria, may result in an unacceptably highresistance to peel mode disengagement in another direction. In certainpreferred embodiments, the surface fastening system 40 may have inherentdirectionality in peel resistance thus enabling peel to be maximized inone or more directions with minimal or no increase in peel in otherdirections. For example, hooks may be manufactured having an orientationas disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,091 issued to Miller, et al on Apr.25, 2000 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,415 issued to Goulait, et al on Jul. 5,1994, each of which is incorporated by reference. In such hooks or otherfastening materials with inherent directionality, the orientationinherent in the raw material may not result in the desired orientationin the product. In such cases, the fastening material may be re-orientedduring manufacture of the product in order to result in the desireddirectionality on the finished product.

When the wearer is active or when the diaper 20 is pulled onto thewearer, the surface fastening system 40 will also preferably remainfastened in the presence of peel forces in directions other than in thexz-plane. The first fastening element 49 and/or the second fasteningelement 48 may have a liftable portion 72 which is liftable in at leastthe xz-plane, allowing the surface fastening system 40, when fastenedand under load, to move out of a more peel load bearing orientation withthe load into a more shear load bearing orientation. Two orthree-dimensional movement may be possible for the liftable portion 72when surface fastening system 40 is fastened. Since fasteners generallymay handle more shear load than peel load, the surface fastening system40 load carrying capacity may be improved for loads that would otherwisebe carried by the fastening system 40 in a peel orientation.

Exemplary Embodiments

Some embodiments of the surface fastening systems 40 of the presentinvention are described in detail below. These examples are meant todescribe several embodiments of the present invention and arenon-limiting. One skilled in the art may be able to build differentexamples based upon the concepts taught in this detailed description inorder to achieve the desired functional characteristics of the presentinvention.

The peel resistance in the yz and xz-planes of FIG. 2 may be different.One method of achieving different peel resistances is by changing thedimensions of the retaining element 14 in the xy-plane. FIG. 3 shows oneexample of a design in which the dimensions of the retaining element 14is optimized for a higher resistance to peel mode disengagement in theyz-plane and a lower resistance to peel mode disengagement in thexz-plane. The fastening material includes two dimensions, an x-dimension45 generally oriented along the x-axis, and a y-dimension 46 generallyoriented along the y-axis as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, thehorizontal or x-dimension 45 is longer than the vertical or y-dimension46. Thus, the resistance to peel mode disengagement may be greater inthe yz-plane than in the xz-plane. In one particular embodiment, forexample, the surface fastening system 40 may include a hook and loopfastener in which at least the engaged area in common between the hookfastening element and the loop fastening element have the shape as shownin FIG. 3 when configured as intended for use of the article. The hookfastening element, for example, may have an x-dimension 45 of about 1.0inch and a y-dimension 46 of about 0.5 inch. The loop fastening elementmay have the same or larger dimensions as the hook material. In thisembodiment, the resistance to peel mode disengagement in the yz-planemay be about twice that of the resistance to peel mode disengagement inthe xz-plane for hook and loop systems with minimal inherentdirectionality. Alternatively in this example, the resistance to peelmode disengagement in the yz-plane may be greater than twice theresistance to peel mode disengagement in the xz-plane if the hook andloop system has high inherent directionality with peel maximized for theyz-plane direction. By altering the x-dimension 45 relative to they-dimension 46, preferred ranges of yz-plane peel resistance andxz-plane peel resistance can be achieved.

In another embodiment, the shape of the retaining element 14 may beoptimized for a higher resistance to peel mode disengagement in, forexample, the yz-plane and a lower resistance to peel mode disengagementin, for example, the xz-plane. FIGS. 4A through 4C, for example, showpossible shapes of retaining elements 14 that may be used in a surfacefastening system 40. Generally, the surface fastening system 40 and/orfastening elements will comprise at least one retaining element 14. FIG.4A shows a typical rectangular-shaped retaining element 14. FIG. 4Bshows one embodiment of a retaining element 14 of the present inventionin which the shape of the retaining element 14 has been designed inorder to decrease the resistance to peel mode disengagement in theyz-plane as peel progresses from edge A to edge B by decreasing aneffective dimension X along at least a portion of the path from edge Ato edge B. Thus, the resistance to yz-plane peel is initially higher atedge A and may decrease at some point between edge A and edge B. Theinitial peel resistance at the laterally inboard edge C, however, hasbeen decreased by shaping the laterally inboard edge C so that theeffective dimension X in the y-direction increases for at least aportion of the path from edge C to laterally outboard edge D. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 4B, y-dimension Y1 is smaller than Y2 and Y3.Thus, resistance to peel in the xz-plane increases from Y1 to Y3. In oneparticular embodiment, the surface fastening system 40 retaining elementmay include a hook and loop fastener shaped as shown in FIG. 4B. In FIG.4B, the effective length of dimension Y increases along at least aportion of the path from edge C to edge D, and the effective dimension Xdecreases along at least a portion of the path from edge A to edge B. Incertain embodiments such as shown in FIG. 4C, the effective dimension Xmay initially decrease or increase along a portion of the path from edgeA′ to edge B′ then increase or decrease along another portion of thepath from edge A′ to edge B′.

In alternative embodiments, the peel resistance of a surface fasteningsystem 40 may be selectively altered by varying the effective shape ofthe retaining element 14 of the surface fastening system 40 in addition,or as an alternative to, altering the actual shape of the retainingelement 14 of surface fastening system 40 as discussed above. Forexample, FIG. 4C shows another particular embodiment of a surfacefastening system 40 of the present invention in which a generallyrectangular patch of retaining element 14 fastening material is renderedeffectively trapezoidal shaped by selectively damaging a portion of theretaining element 14. For example, portions of the retaining element 14may be damaged such as by mechanical bonding, ultrasonic bonding,selective heating, or any other process capable of disabling a portionof a fastening element. In this embodiment, a first portion 62 of theretaining element 14 may be selectively damaged in order to lower thepeel resistance of the surface fastening system 40 in that area, and asecond portion 64 may be used to provide a higher peel resistance in anarea where the higher peel resistance is desired.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show embodiments in which the peel resistance of thesurface fastening system 40 may be selectively enhanced. In FIGS. 6A and6B, for example, liftable portion 72 of first fastening element 99 maybe unjoined from the underlying structure of the article 20. In thesefigures, the attached portion 73 of the first fastening element 99,which may be joined to the underlying structure of the article 20, isshown crosshatched. The liftable portion 72 extends from the attachedportion 73 along the hinge line 44. As used herein, extending fromincludes the liftable portion 72 being adjacent to or connected toattached portion 73. In this embodiment, all or a portion of theliftable portion 72 of the first fastening element 99 is free to pullaway from the underlying structure of the article. This may increase thepeel resistance of the surface fastening system 40. Without being boundby theory, it is believed that as the liftable portion 72 pulls awayfrom the underlying structure of the article, the disengagement modeshifts gradually away from a peel mode to a shear mode of disengagement.In many surface fasteners such as a hook and loop fastener, it isgenerally more difficult to disengage the fastener in shear mode than inpeel mode. Thus, the resistance to disengagement of the fastening system40 to a force generated during the use of the article in the yz-planethrough xz-plane (peel force) may be increased.

The above described approaches may be used alone or in combination toachieve the desired peel resistance in the yz- and xz-planes. Thus, bychanges in design, structure, attachment and/or material, a system maybe created to meet the functional requirements defined herein forresistance of the surface fastening system 40 to peel modedisengagement.

The fastening system 40 may be pre-fastened before application to thewearer. This allows the article to be used as a pull-on type diaper,such as a training pant. In other preferred embodiments, the product maybe delivered to the consumer at least partially pre-fastened. Forexample, second fastening elements 48 of the surface fastening system 40may be joined with a first fastening element(s) 49 during the article'smanufacture in order to pre-fasten the surface fastening system 40. Thismay be accomplished by any means known in the art including for exampleadhesive and/or hook and loop. Pre-fastening of the article during itsmanufacture allows the consumer to slip the product over the wearer'sfeet and pull it in place about the torso as one does a traditional pullon article. Yet, the fasteners enable the user to disengage thefasteners if they so choose and fasten the article about the wearerwithout needing to remove lower body clothing, such as pants, stockings,or shoes.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the first fastening element 49has two divergent hinge lines 11, one on each side of the longitudinalcenterline 100 of the diaper 20. The distance between the hinge lines 11at a point closest to the lateral centerline 110 is defined as adistance X1. The distance between the hinge lines 11 at the pointfurthest from the lateral centerline 110 is defined as a distance X2. Inone embodiment of the present invention, X1 is always less than X2. Inanother embodiment, X1 is about 60 mm or less. In another embodiment X2is about 130 mm or larger.

Regardless of orientation of the hinge line 11, the retaining element 14may be oriented parallel to the lateral centerline 110 of the product orat any angle relative to the lateral centerline 110 as shown in FIG. 9.A preferred embodiment includes a hinge line 11 and retaining element 14of the first fastening elements 49 both oriented such that theyintersect (at an angle other than parallel to) the lateral centerline110. The hinge line 11 and retaining element 14 of the second fasteningelement 48 may also be oriented such that they intersect (at an angleother than parallel to) the lateral centerline 110.

In a diaper 20 embodiment, the side panel 30, backsheet 26, and/or asurface fastening system 40 component such as the first fasteningelement 49, first fastening element liftable portion 72, and/or secondfastening element 48 may include extensible and/or elastomericmaterials. The extensible and/or elastomeric materials may provide abetter fit or improved wearer comfort. The extensible and/or elastomericmaterials may also allow the product to be used as a pull-on article.Pull-on usage would include fastening the first fastening element 49 tothe second fastening element(s) 48 prior to putting the article on thewearer. Extensible material allows increased path length of stretchablematerials around the leg to provide further freedom for leg movements invarious article embodiments. The location of the extensible and/orelastomeric materials may vary. Possible extensible and/or elastomericmaterial locations 31 are shown in FIG. 12. These locations include thefirst waist region 36, and the second waist region 38. A preferredembodiment may have an angled elastomeric material locations 31 on thearticle side panel(s) 30, providing more stretch at the wearer's hipsand less around the wearer's leg openings when the article worn by thewearer.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 15A, a masking element 12 may beused to make less visible to an observer the lifting of liftable portion72. The masking element 12 may at least partially surround liftableportion 72. A planar view of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 15B. Themasking element 12 may be attached to the backsheet 26 and the liftableportion 72. In other embodiments the masking element 12 may be attachedto the backsheet 26, the retaining element 14, first fastening element49, second fastening element 48, or combinations and components thereof.It may be preferred to have the masking elements 12 be extensible orelastomeric. However, the masking element 12 may be non-extensible andnon-elastomeric and gathered to provide sufficient path length forlifting the liftable portion 72 from the underlying article 20 as shownin FIG. 15A.

The first fastening member may include a flap 75 that is attached to thefirst fastening element 49 as shown in FIG. 13, or any other part of thearticle 20. The flap 75 may contain a retaining element 14 that engageswith the second fastening element 48 on the surface opposite the firstfastening element when the first and second fastening elements areengaged. The second fastening element would have retaining elements 14of two sides, one side would engage the first fastening element 49 andthe other would engage the flap 75. The additional flap 75 retainingelements 14 and second fastening element 48 retaining elements 14provide additional fastening strength to the fastener system 40. Furtherdetails of a flap configuration are available in previously referencedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/633,422. Previously incorporated byreference.

Supplemental stiffening elements 88 function to reduce the flexibilityof the diaper 20 waist and improve the articles visual appearance. Thesurface fastening system 40 may include supplemental stiffening elements88 to provide the best overall fit and reduce roping, especially at thewaist 55 of a diaper 20 as shown in FIG. 2. FIGS. 16A-16D showembodiments of the first fastening element 49 which contain one or morestiffening element(s) 88. The stiffening elements 88 may further reducearticle roping or other undesirable deformation during article use.Generally, the stiffening element 88 may comprise a component of thearticle, e.g. diaper 20. The stiffening element 88 may be part of thesurface fastening system 40 including the first fastening element 49,second fastening element 48, any attached portion 73, any unattachedportion 72, or in combination thereof. The stiffening element 88 may bemade from any material known it the art and may be made by any processknown in the art. Preferable materials include plastic and paperproducts. Other processes could include making the first fastener 49thicker in some locations or adding a stiffening catalyst to thoseportions of the fastening system in which a stiffening zone is desired.

FIG. 17 shows an example of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention such as a sanitary napkin or light incontinent pad thatincludes the surface fastening system 140 of the present invention tohold the sanitary napkin or light incontinent pad in a configurationwrapped around a wearer's panties or underwear. For example, thefastening system 140 may be used to fasten first wing 122 and secondwing 124 of a sanitary napkin 120 about a wearer's panties. Fasteningthe wings of a sanitary napkin 120 about the wearer's undergarment mayhelp ensure that the sanitary napkin 120 will stay in place while in useand provides a means for reducing the likelihood that the undergarmentwill be soiled if the core of the sanitary napkin 120 should leak. Thefastening system 140 of the sanitary napkin 120, for example, mayinclude a first fastening element 160 and a second fastening element170. As shown in FIG. 17, for example, the first fastening element 160may be located on the first wing 122 and the second fastening element170 may be located on the second wing 124. The wings 121 extendoutwardly from the longitudinal edges 150 of the sanitary napkin 120.Alternatively, the first fastening element 160 or the second fasteningelement 170 may be disposed on a portion of the backsheet 126 of thesanitary napkin 120 in a configuration similar to any of the embodimentsdescribed above with respect to a diaper 20. As described above withrespect to other embodiments of the present invention, the fasteningelements 160 and 170 may comprise any known surface fastening means,such as hooks, loops, adhesive, cohesive, magnets, and the like, or anycombination of any of these fasteners. The first fastening element 160and/or the second fastening element 170 may also include any of thesurface fastening system 40 embodiments described above. Although thesurface fastening system 140 is shown in FIG. 17 as the primaryfastening device, the surface fastening system 140 of the presentinvention may be used in conjunction with other means for securing thenapkin 120 to the undergarment or around the undergarment. Othersuitable means include adhesives, cohesives, hooks, loops, friction,static, magnets, and/or any other means known in the art. The surfacefastening system 140 may also be used to fasten the sanitary napkin 120to other devices such as belts or other sanitary guards, or may be usedas a means for wrapping the sanitary napkin 120 in a disposalconfiguration. Examples of sanitary napkins 120 with which the fasteningsystem 140 of the present invention may be used are described in detailin U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,992 entitled “Shaped Sanitary Napkin With Flaps”issued to Van Tilburg on Dec. 7, 1993, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,094entitled “Absorbent Article Having Flaps and Zones of DifferentialExtensibility” issued to Lavash et al. on Feb. 14, 1995, each of whichis incorporated by reference herein.

In yet another embodiment, a body wrap 220 may include a fasteningsystem 240 of the present invention to hold the body wrap 220 in afastened configuration around a portion of a wearer's body such asaround the wearer's waist, torso, leg, ankle, foot, arm, wrist, hand,neck, head, etc. FIG. 18, for example, shows one possible embodiment ofa body wrap 220 of the present invention having a fastening system 240including a first fastening element 260 and a second fastening element270. The first fastening element 260 and the second fastening element270 may extend outwardly from an end edge 250 of the body wrap 220.Alternatively, the first fastening element 260 and/or the secondfastening element 270 may be disposed on a portion of an inner surface224 or an outer surface 226 of the body wrap 220. Further, the firstfastening element 260 and/or second fastening element 270 may includeany of the embodiments described above. One or more of the firstfastening element 260 or the second fastening element 270 may includeone or more surface fastening elements such as retaining element 14disposed on one or more surface of the body wrap 220, and the fasteningelements 260 and 270 may comprise any known surface fastening means,such as those described above. Examples of body wraps 220 with which thesurface fastening system 140 of the present invention may be used aredescribed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,318 entitled “Elastic BackWrap Having Diamond-Shaped Thermal Pattern and Anti-slip Means” issuedto Oullette et al. on Apr. 21, 1998, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,945entitled “Disposable Elastic Thermal Knee Wrap” issued to Cramer et al.on Jan. 19, 1999, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

While particular embodiments and/or individual features of the presentinvention have been illustrated and described, it would be clear tothose skilled in the art that various other changes and modificationscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Further, it should be clear that all combinations of suchembodiments and features are possible and can result in preferredexecutions of a invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intendedto cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope ofthis invention.

1. An article having a surface fastening system and a primary directionof load bearing, the article comprising a longitudinal centerline; and alateral centerline, first and second waist regions, a crotch regionbetween said first and second waist regions and opposite side panelsconnected to said second waist region, the surface fastening systemincluding: at least one first fastening element connected to said firstwaist region, the first fastening element including: at least oneretaining element; an attached portion joined to the article, saidattached portion being fully or intermittently attached to the article;at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, saidliftable portion being adapted to be lifted away from the article; andat least one hinge line positioned between the attached portion and theliftable portion, wherein the hinge line is disposed at an angle lessthan 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearingwherein the hinge line intersects said at least one retaining elementand the longitudinal centerline and the lateral centerline of thearticle; and at least one second fastening element affixed to at leastone of said opposite side panels of said article and at least a portionof the second fastening element is configured to be releasablyengageable with at least a portion of the liftable portion of the firstfastening element, wherein when said first and second fastening elementare engaged and encountering a load substantially in a z-direction saidliftable portion lifts away from said article, wherein the z-directionis defined by an axis which is generally perpendicular to an x-axis anda y-axis, wherein the x-axis is generally oriented along the primarydirection of load bearing, wherein the y-axis is generally perpendicularto the x-axis and generally oriented within a plane of the article. 2.The article of claim 1, wherein the second fastening element includes:an attached portion joined to the article; at least one liftable portionextending from the attached portion; at least one hinge line positionedbetween the attached portion and the liftable portion, the at least onehinge line intersected by the primary direction of load bearing at anangle less than 90 degrees; and the liftable portion of the firstfastening element is configured to be releasably engageable with theliftable portion of the second fastening element.
 3. The article ofclaim 2, wherein said surface fastening system has a peel load capacitywherein said peel load capacity during use is greater than or equal to1000 grams.
 4. The article of claim 3, wherein the fastening system maybe disengaged in a peel mode through intentional fastening systemdisengagement with a peel load of less than 1000 grams.
 5. An articlehaving a surface fastening system, the article comprising a longitudinalcenterline; and a lateral centerline, first and second waist regions, acrotch region between said first and second waist regions and oppositeside panels connected to said second waist region the surface fasteningsystem including: at least one first fastening element connected to saidfirst waist region, the first fastening element including: at least oneretaining element; an attached portion joined to the article, saidattached portion being fully or intermittently attached to the article;at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion,wherein at least 5% of the retaining element is located on the liftableportion, said liftable portion being adapted to be lifted away from thearticle; at least one hinge line positioned between the attached portionand the liftable portion wherein the hinge line intersects said at leastone retaining element and the longitudinal centerline and the lateralcenterline of the article; at least one second fastening element with aretaining element affixed to at least one of said opposite side panelsof said article and at least a portion of the retaining element of thesecond fastening element is configured to be releasably engageable withat least a portion of the retaining element of the first fasteningelement on the liftable portion of the first fastening element, whereinwhen said first and second fastening element are engaged andencountering a load substantially in a z-direction said liftable portionlifts away from said article, wherein the z-direction is defined by anaxis which is generally perpendicular to an x-axis and a y-axis, whereinthe x-axis is generally oriented along a primary direction of loadbearing, wherein the y-axis is generally perpendicular to the x-axis andgenerally oriented within a plane of the article.
 6. The article ofclaim 5, wherein the first fastening element is positioned to the frontof the wearer.
 7. The article of claim 5, further including a primarydirection of load bearing wherein the primary direction of load bearingis disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the at leastone hinge line.
 8. The article of claim 5, wherein the second fasteningelement further comprises: at least one retaining element; an attachedportion joined to the article; at least one liftable portion extendingfrom the attached portion; and at least one hinge line positionedbetween the attached portion and the liftable portion, the at least onehinge line intersecting the longitudinal centerline.
 9. The article ofclaim 8, wherein at least 5% of the second fastening element retainingelement is located upon the second fastening element liftable portion.10. The article of claim 5, wherein said surface fastening system has apeel load capacity wherein said peel load capacity during use is greaterthan or equal to 1000 grams.
 11. The article of claim 5, wherein thearticle includes a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin, body wrap, ormedical bandage.
 12. The article of claim 5, wherein the articleincludes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet andan absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. 13.An absorbent article having a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquidimpervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, an absorbent corepositioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; a first waist region,a crotch region, a second waist region, opposite side panels connectedto said second waist region, a longitudinal centerline, a lateralcenterline, a primary direction of load bearing, and a surface fasteningsystem, the surface fastening system including: at least one firstfastening element connected to said first waist region, the firstfastening element including: at least one attached portion joined to thearticle, said attached portion being fully or intermittently attached tothe article; at least one liftable portion extending from the attachedportion, said liftable portion being adapted to be lifted away from thearticle; at least one retaining element wherein at least 5% of theretaining element is disposed on the liftable portion; and at least onehinge line positioned between the attached portion and the liftableportion wherein the hinge line intersects said at least one retainingelement and the longitudinal centerline and the lateral centerline ofthe article; and at least two second fastening elements with retainingelements, the second fastening elements disposed on the opposite sidepanels so as to be generally attachable in a face to face relationshipwith at least a portion of the liftable portion of at least one firstfastening element when the surface fastening system is in a fastenedconfiguration; and the retaining elements of the at least two secondfastening elements releasably engageable with at least a portion of theretaining element disposed on the liftable portion of the at least onefirst fastening element, wherein when said first and second fasteningelement are engaged and encountering a load substantially in az-direction said liftable portion lifts away from said article, whereinthe z-direction is defined by an axis which is generally perpendicularto an x-axis and a y-axis, wherein the x-axis is generally orientedalong the primary direction of load bearing, wherein the y-axis isgenerally perpendicular to the x-axis and generally oriented within aplane of the article.
 14. The article of claim 13, wherein the hingeline intersects the primary direction of load bearing at an angle lessthan 90 degrees.
 15. The article of claim 13, wherein the firstfastening element includes a flap with a retaining element.
 16. Thearticle of claim 13, wherein the first fastening element includes amasking element.
 17. The article of claim 13, wherein the firstfastening element includes a stiffening element.
 18. The article ofclaim 13, wherein the liftable portion includes an elastomeric portion.19. A pant-like article having a surface fastening system and a primarydirection of load bearing, the pant-like article comprising alongitudinal centerline; and a lateral centerline, first and secondwaist regions, a crotch region between said first and second waistregions and opposite side panels connected to said second waist regionthe surface fastening system including: at least one first fasteningelement, the first fastening element including: a retaining element; anattached portion joined to the article, said attached portion beingfully or intermittently attached to the article; at least one liftableportion extending from the attached portion, said liftable portion beingadapted to be lifted away from the article; at least one hinge linepositioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion whereinthe hinge line intersects said at least one retaining element and thelongitudinal centerline and the lateral centerline of the article; andat least one second fastening element affixed to at least one of saidopposite side panels of said article and at least a portion of thesecond fastening element is configured to be releasably engageable withat least a portion of the liftable portion of the first fasteningelement, wherein said first fastening element and said second fasteningelement are pre-fastened.